IceHogs News

Rockford, Ill.- The trend continued in the Rockford IceHogs versus Texas Stars series as the IceHogs overcame a two-goal deficit to take a 4-2 win over Texas in front of a sold out BMO Harris Bank Center. The last six games between these two teams have featured the winning team overcoming at least a two goal deficit. Rockford took the win and with it, held on to the Western Conference lead.

Down 2-1 midway through the second period, Hogs center Alex Broadhurst forced a turnover at the Texas blue line and took off on a break-away. Broadhurst pocketed the goal behind Christopher Nilstrop to tie the game for Rockford at 2-2 with 9:20 left in regulation.

Two minutes after Broadhurst tied the game, Mark McNeill walked the puck into the offensive zone and let go a blast from the right face-off circle that went over Nilstrop’s shoulder and into the net to give Rockford their first lead of the game at 3-2. Klas Dahlbeck put the game out of reach with an empty netter to make the score 4-2 with 52 seconds remaining and Alex Broadhurst assisted for his second point of the game.

It marked the third time in Rockford’s first 10 games in which the IceHogs overcame a third period deficit to claim a win.

The Stars opened the scoring early as a scrum in front of the net resulted in center Chris Mueller sliding one past Hogs goaltender Antti Raanta at 1:20 into the first period.

At 14:57 left in the first period, the Stars continued to tally against the IceHogs. Texas held the puck deep in the offensive zone before left wing Francis Wathier notched his first goal of the season on a one-timer from a Matej Stransky pass from behind the net to make the score 2-0. The goal would be Raanta’s last blemish and the netminder finished the game with 46 saves.

The second period started slow for Rockford with the Stars dominating possession before a turnover on the power play with just 3:22 left led to a two-on-one break for the IceHogs. Winger Jimmy Hayes flew into the offensive zone and slotted a pass in front of the net to centerman Drew LeBlanc and he put it behind Nilstrop to bring the game within one.

Rockford, the Western Conference leaders, now sit at 7-2-1-0 (15 points) while the Stars drop their second game in as many days and sit at 5-3-1-0 (11 points)

Next Home Game: Thursday, Oct. 31 vs. Charlotte. Game time is 7 p.m. The first 5,000 fans to the BMO will receive a Refillable Souvenir Cup courtesy of WIFR and Kelley’s Market. For tickets, call (815) 968-5222, online through IceHogs.com or in person at the BMO Harris Bank Center Box Office or at any Ticketmaster outlet.